I have not written anything recently, well nothing I have shared anyway. It has been a busy couple of weeks. I have some classes running, a new commission project, and two shows coming up. Also, the Pond Project continues on, though I am a bit behind. I have been self employed for 2.5 months and [...]
Journal excerpt 12/26/11 Image: Pond Study 18, pastel on paper, 7″ x 11″ The holidays have come and gone, but yet we wait for a significant snowfall. What dusting was received last week is now long gone. The pond has become bare and boring. I find myself waiting for something to happen- anything. The browns, [...]
This most resent piece is based on a photo of the Humboldt Park lily pond taken about a month ago. This was actually the second time I painted from this photo. This piece began as a demonstration piece for my intro to oil painting class. The painting is larger (11″ x 14″). Also, you will [...]
This is a drawing, a chalk pastel, and an oil painting done over the last two weeks. All reference the same photo The original photo was taken a few months ago, obviously before fall was in full swing. The image is titled The Yellow Line after the thick band of sunlight that breaks free of the treeline and runs at an angle across the picture plane.
Yes, I do commissions. If you are interested in having your favorite picture or scene captured as one of my paintings please contact me. Perhaps you are interested in a landscape but are just not seeing the colors you want in my inventory. Or you would like a portrait done of a friend or family [...]
Today I did number 14 in my Pond Study Series. You can see the dulling of colors, which is a departure from my usual palette. The lone willow tree just right of the center is holding onto its foliage, as is the adjacent pine. The other side of the pond grows more and more bare. [...]
I had a great time on Saturday teaching a couple of creative ladies about watercolor.
Today begins my first day as a full-time painter. I know, I know, what am I thinking trying to build an art career in this economy? The thing is- it could take decades for the world to sort out its financial problems and I am here now living my life now. I don’t really see [...]
I am currently reading Annie Dillard’s Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. It is an interesting choice for me. Dillard describes seasons and experiences visiting a local creek. She eloquently writes about birds, insects, plants, and the endless drama of wildlife. Through this lens she writes a beautiful account of existence. The work is poetic and artful [...]
I have just returned from a road trip to the southwest and back.
This is an excerpt from the notes I am keeping for the Color Project (working title). I am trying to understand the colors I see through multiple mediums.
I have already taken several pictures of the nearby pond for reference in photos. I have also been drawing the location regularly to become more intimately familiar with it.
I have started a new project, which will focus on a single landscape for series of paintings. The intention is to study how the landscape changes from day to day, but also over the length of a season. This seems like a perfect time considering the impending change of colors. I really want to carefully [...]
I have been focusing on my sketchbook these past weeks. I am taking a break from producing paintings (with the exception of the domes plein air event). My studio time has been spent drawing, writing, and idea building. Basically I have been taking a break from product and have been centering on process. This seems [...]
I spent this last weekend at the Mitchell Park Domes painting for the plein air competition held in conjunction with an art festival.
I have been focusing on these even smaller oil paintings (compared to my already small average size of 7″ x 9″). They are on paper, I quarter it off to about 4″ x 5″ sections. The size and limitations of working with a knife force a necessary subtlety at this size that I find very [...]
I am pleased to announce that my work is now available at the Dooryard Gallery in Elm Grove! The Elm Grove Village Court – 890 Elm Grove Road, Elm Grove (262)780-8778 http://dooryardgallery.com/
Driving down the road today on my way to work I was struck by the subtle color changes that have occurred in the Wisconsin landscape over the last month. Summer now in full swing, the landscape has filled in with vibrant greens. However, a rather dry few weeks is making many of the grassy areas [...]
I was at the Woodwalk Gallery, in Egg Harbor Memorial Day weekend for the opening reception of the season. This is my first time being represented by this gallery. After teaching several classes at the Peninsula School of Art, I realized that Door County has a remarkable arts culture. So, in my search for galleries [...]
This is what the frame on most of my pieces looks like. In some cases I stain it, but many are left raw. There is a slight space around the image, which helps the viewer see the edge of the painting where the ground color is visible. These frames are made using basic miters. The [...]
The Pond Study Continues
The season is certainly proving to be an interesting one for observing change. The mild weather, with a few bouts of snow, has created a situation in which the view of the pond changes daily. This painting is done from a photo taken January 17th. Here is what I wrote about that day: 1-17-12 [...]